Mobile electronic communication device with lights to indicate received messages

ABSTRACT

A mobile electronic communication device includes a processor unit, a transceiver, a keypad and a light unit. Each key of the keypad is associated with a contact of a contact list. The light unit can perform light functions to notify a user of the reception and/or status of messages received via the transceiver. The light functions include providing an indication of the age of a received message that was sent by a contact in the contacts list. The age of the message is indicated by a modulation of the illuminating light. In one embodiment, the age of a message is indicated as one of a set of predetermined age ranges, with each age range being represented by a unique color.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to mobile electronic communicationdevices, and more particularly, the present invention relates to messageindicators for use in mobile electronic communication devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Mobile electronic communication devices such as cellulartelephones, pagers, and wireless PDAs (personal digital assistants) arein wide use. Many such mobile electronic communication devices offercore functions such as a contact list, call log, voice mail and soforth, while many high-end models offer advanced functions such asInternet access and messaging services. Currently, most mobileelectronic communication devices use a sound or a text message to notifythe user that the mobile electronic communication device has received amessage. However, these notifications typically do not provide a quickand easy method to determine the senders' identities, nor do theyprovide an indication of how much time has passed since the mobileelectronic communication device received the messages. For example, insome of these existing mobile electronic communication devices, the usermust navigate through one or more menus displayed by the mobileelectronic communication device to access messages to determine asender's identity and the time the message was received.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to aspects of the present invention, a mobileelectronic communication device having a message status indicationsystem is provided. In one aspect, the mobile electronic communicationdevice includes a processor unit, a transceiver, a keypad and a lightunit. The light unit is used in performing light functions to provide anindication of the sender of a message received by the mobile electroniccommunication device.

[0004] In another aspect of the present invention, the mobile electroniccommunication device includes a contact list. The light functionsinclude providing a notification that the mobile electroniccommunication device has received a message sent by a contact listed inthe contact list.

[0005] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the lightfunctions include providing an indication of the relative age ofreceived messages. In one embodiment, the mobile electroniccommunication device categorizes a received message into one of severalpredefined age categories, with a particular light function associatedwith each age category. For example, the age categories may include“new”, “intermediate” and “old” age categories. Continuing this example,these age categories are respectively associated with green, yellow andred lights, which are provided via the aforementioned light unit.

[0006] In a further aspect of the present invention, each key of thekeypad is associated with a contact in the contact list. This aspectallows the mobile electronic communication device to indicate whetherthe mobile electronic communication device has received a message from acontact in the contact list by performing a light function via the keycorresponding to the contact. For example, a message from the firstcontact or entry listed in the contact list can be indicated byilluminating the “1” key of the keypad (i.e., the key for entering thenumeral “1”). In a further refinement of this aspect, a key can beprogrammed to automatically initiate a message operation addressed tothe contact associated with the key.

[0007] In still another aspect of the present invention, the mobileelectronic communication device may include a virtual keypad. Forexample, the virtual keypad may be implemented using a touch-screen LCD(liquid crystal display) or similar device. The touch-screen device canbe used to display an illustration of a keypad, with each “key”operating like an icon for causes the character or symbol represented bythe key to be inputted when the user activates the “key.” A user canactivate a “key” of the virtual keypad by contacting the portion of thetouch-screen that is displaying the “key.” In one embodiment, lightfunctions can be performed by changing the appearance the virtual keys.For example, the light functions can include causing the color or shadeof a “key” to change, a “key” to flash or blink, or causing a “key” toappear animated (e.g. to morph into a telephone illustration, rotate,appear to vibrate, etc.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the presentinvention are described with reference to the following figures, whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile electronic communicationdevice according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an operational flow of themobile electronic communication device as shown in FIG. 1, according toone embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a datastore for storing messages,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of theoperational flow of entering a message mode as shown in FIG. 2.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of theoperational flow of performing light functions as shown in FIG. 2.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of theoperational flow of performing a user-selected function as shown in FIG.2.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the face of a mobile electroniccommunication device having a keypad, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the face of a mobile electroniccommunication device having a virtual keypad, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Embodiments of a system and method for a mobile electroniccommunication device with light functions to indicate waiting messagesand input keys for viewing messages are described herein. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0018] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

[0019] Because of the increased use of mobile electronic communicationdevices as a messaging device, a need has arisen for an easy way tocheck the status of messages that have been received. The presentinvention is directed towards a method and apparatus that allows a userto quickly and easily determine if any messages have been received,along with the sender's identity and the relative age of the message.

[0020]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a mobile electroniccommunication device 100 according to the present invention. In thisembodiment, the mobile electronic communication device 100 includes atransceiver 102, a display 103, a processor unit 104, a keypad 105,memory 110, a wireless interface unit 111, an audio speaker 112, amicrophone 113, an operating system 115, and application software 116.In this exemplary embodiment, operating system 115 and applicationsoftware 116 is stored in memory 110. In addition, mobile electroniccommunication device 100 also includes a light unit 126 and mode selectkey or keys 127 (hereinafter “keys 127”). In some embodiments, modeselect keys 127 may be omitted.

[0021] In one embodiment, transceiver 102, display 103, keypad 105,memory 110, wireless interface unit 111, speaker 112, microphone 113,light unit 126, and mode select keys 127 are connected to processor unit104. Processor unit 104 sends and receives commands from the operatingsystem 115. The operating system 115 in conjunction with the processorunit 104 controls the application software 116.

[0022] In addition, light unit 126 is associated with keys of keypad105. In one embodiment, light unit 126 is disposed in mobile electroniccommunication device 100 so that preselected keys (e.g. the numerickeys) of the keypad 105 can be selectively illuminated by the light unit126. For example, light unit 126 may be located beneath keypad 105 sothat light unit 126 can illuminate individual keys (which would betranslucent or partially translucent in this example) of keypad 105. Inone embodiment, light unit 126 includes each of the preselected keys ofkeypad 105 has its own dedicated light source (or light sources). Inother embodiments, a light source may provide light to more than one keyof keypad 105, with appropriate switching to allow the light toilluminate a selected key or keys.

[0023] In operation, transceiver 102 is used to receive messages as inknown mobile electronic communication devices, for example short messageservice (SMS), code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM),and general packet radio service (GPRS). The wireless interface unit 111operates in conjunction with the transceiver 102 to send and receiveinformation. The audio speaker 112 can broadcast the signals receivedfrom the transceiver 102. Display 103 is used to display text and/orimages. For example, display 103 can be implemented with a LCD.Processor unit 104 can store received message information in the memory110. Processor unit 104 can also control display 103 to display thestored message information or other data from memory 110. A user may usekeypad 105 to input data and/or instructions to the processor unit 104.In accordance with the present invention, processor unit 104 can controllight unit 126 to provide an indication of the status of messagesreceived by mobile electronic communication device 100. Light unit 126can be implemented using any suitable type of light source such as, forexample, light bulbs, LEDs (light emitting diodes), LCDs, etc. A usercan also use mode select keys 127 to input commands to the processorunit 104 to switch between different operative modes of mobileelectronic communication device 100. Mobile electronic communicationdevice 100 indicates the status of received messages as described belowin conjunction with FIG. 2.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates the operational flow of mobile electroniccommunication device 100 in indicating the status of one or morereceived messages, according to one embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, mobile electronic communication device 100performs the above operational flow as follows.

[0025] In a step 208, mobile electronic communication device 100receives a message such as an e-mail message, a SMS (short messageservice) message, or a voice-mail message, for example. In oneembodiment, transceiver 102 receives the message as in a standard mobileelectronic communication device.

[0026] In a step 209, the received message is stored. In one embodiment,transceiver 102 provides the received message to processor unit 104,which can then store the message data. In addition, processor unit 104may store other related data such as sender identification, a time-stamp(i.e., the time that mobile electronic communication device 100 receivedthe message), and read status (i.e., an indication of whether themessage was accessed by a user) in memory 60. An example of a datastructure to store messages is described below in conjunction with FIG.3. In one embodiment, the message data can be stored in memory 60included in processor unit 104.

[0027] In a step 210, mobile electronic communication device 100 entersa message mode. In one embodiment, the message mode is a mode in whichthe user may send messages or access messages (e.g. display a messagevia display 103 so that the user may read the message) that are storedin mobile electronic communication device 100. In one embodiment, theuser may input a command for mobile electronic communication device 100to enter the message mode. In other embodiments, step 210 can be adefault action that is automatically performed after mobile electroniccommunication device 100 receives a message. Step 210 need not beperformed when mobile electronic communication device 100 is already inthe message mode, or in embodiments in which mobile electroniccommunication device 100 has no modes other than message mode.

[0028] In a step 211, mobile electronic communication device 100 canperform light functions to provide an indication of the status ofmessages received from contacts stored in a contact list. In oneembodiment, the user may create and maintain a contact list in mobileelectronic communication device 100. The contact list typically containscontact information such as, for example, the names of contacts andtheir telephone numbers, email addresses, etc. As used herein, “lightfunctions” are operations in which the light unit 126 is used toindicate the status and/or source of messages received by mobileelectronic communication device 100. For example, the light functionscan indicate the relative age of a received message by causing lightunit 126 to output light in a predefined manner.

[0029] In one embodiment, preselected keys of keypad 105 are associatedwith contacts or entries in the contact list. For example, thepreselected keys may be the number keys of keypad 105, with each numberbeing associated with an entry or contact in the contact list. In oneembodiment, the first entry in the contact list can be associated withthe “1” key of keypad 105, the second entry with the “2” key of keypad105, and so on. The light functions can indicate that a message wasreceived from the first entry in the contact list by illuminating the“1” key using light unit 126. In addition, mobile electroniccommunication device 100 can be configured to allow the user to selectthe association of contacts to keys. For example, in one embodiment, theuser can associate up to ten contacts to the numeric keys of keypad 105.

[0030] In a further refinement, the light functions can also indicatethe relative age of the message by modulating the light used toilluminate the key. The term “modulate” is used in a broad sense inproviding light with controlled parameters such as color or intensityusing one or more light sources. For example, the modulation may beimplemented by controlling the wavelength (i.e., color) of the lightused to illuminate the key that depends on the age of the message. Eachcolor, for example, can be produced by a separate dedicated light sourcethat is turned on while the other light sources are turned off.Alternatively, a single light source that has a dynamically configurableoutput wavelength can be used. Other systems or techniques can be usedto generate light of the desired wavelengths. In other embodiments, themodulation may be implemented by causing the light to flash or blink ata rate corresponding to the age of the message.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the relative age of a message iscategorized into one of three categories; namely “new”, “intermediate”,and “old” messages. These categories are respectively associated withthe colors green, yellow and red, so that green indicates a “new”message, yellow indicates an “intermediate” message, and red indicatesan “old” message. In one embodiment, a “new” message is one that wasreceived less than three minutes from when its corresponding key wasilluminated. An “intermediate” message is one that was received morethan three minutes but less than fifteen minutes from when itscorresponding key was illuminated. An “old” message is one that wasreceived more than fifteen minutes from when its corresponding key wasilluminated. In other embodiments, the age categories may be indicatedusing different colors, may be different in number, and may be differentin the transition points between age categories.

[0032] Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the light functions wouldindicate a “new” message from the second entry of the contact list byilluminating the “2” key with a green light. Continuing the example, thelight functions can indicate a message with an “intermediate” age sentby the third entry of the contact list by illuminating the “3” key witha yellow light, and so. In one embodiment, not more than one color isused to indicate messages corresponding to particular contacts. Thecolor used indicates the age of the most recent message from thatcontact.

[0033] In other embodiments, the relative age of a received message maybe indicated in other ways such as, for example, by varying thebrightness of the illumination or by causing the illumination to flashor blink. For example, the frequency, duty cycle, or other parameter ofthe blinking can depend on the relative age of the message. In oneembodiment, steady light indicates old messages, slow blinking lightindicates intermediate messages, and fast blinking light indicates newmessages. In still another embodiment, the blinking may be grouped toindicate relative age. For example, a single blink cyclically performedmay be used to indicate an old message; a group of two blinks cyclicallyperformed may be used to indicate an intermediate message; and a groupof three blinks cyclically performed may be used to indicate a newmessage. Alternatively, the number of blinks performed in a cycle may beused to indicate the number of messages left by the sender.

[0034] Still further, the color, blinking, intensity or other parameterof the light can be used to indicate the importance of the message(which can be set by the sender). For example, the sender may set theimportance as low, regular, or high importance, which are indicated bythe colors green, yellow and red, respectively. In addition, in thisexample, fast, slow and no blinking (as described above) indicates themessage as new, intermediate and old, respectively. Thus, in thisexample, a fast blinking red light illuminating the numeric key “8” ofkeypad 105 indicates that an important new message has been receivedfrom the contact corresponding to the eighth contact of the contactlist.

[0035] In yet another embodiment, the color, blinking, intensity orother parameter of the light can be used to indicate the type of messagereceived. For example, the message may be an email, a SMS message, avoice mail, which can each be indicated by a preselected color or otherparameter of the light provided by light unit 106 (FIG. 1).

[0036] A variety of different systems and methods can be used tomodulate light to indicate the age, number, importance, type and/orother parameter of received messages.

[0037] In a step 212, mobile electronic communication device 100 canreceive an input from the user. In one embodiment, the user can activatea key of keypad 105 to select the contact associated with the activatedkey.

[0038] In a step 213, in response to the input by the user, mobileelectronic communication device 100 can display information related tomessages, if any, sent by the selected contact listed in the contactlist. In one embodiment, the user can cause mobile electroniccommunication device 100 to provide information related to storedmessages received from the contact selected in step 212. Processor unit104 accesses the stored messages (see step 209) and causes display 103to display information related to messages sent by the selected contact.For example, the message information can list all of the stored messagesthat were sent by the contact corresponding to the activated key. In oneembodiment, a message log corresponding to the contact is displayed. Themessage log displays messages received from the contact as well asmessages sent to the contact, in reverse chronological order. In anotherembodiment, the message log displays SMS messages entirely (i.e., thetext) in reverse chronological order and no additional action isrequired to read the messages.

[0039] In a step 214, mobile electronic communication device 100 thenaccesses messages in response to commands from the user. In oneembodiment, the user can select a message displayed in step 213 toperform an operation on the message. For example, the user can usekeypad 105 to select a desired message. The user can then cause mobileelectronic communication device to perform an operation on the selectedmessage. For example, the user can save, display, or delete the selectedmessage. In one embodiment, the aforementioned user-selectableoperations can be provided in a menu via display 103. A user can thenuse keypad 105 to select or initiate one of the menu-displayedoperations. In a further refinement, a time-out feature may beimplemented to perform a default operation (e.g., saving the message) ifthe user does not select an operation within a predetermined period.

[0040] The above description the association of keys of keypad 105(FIG. 1) to contacts in the contact list relates to receiving messages.In a further refinement, the keys may be used in implementing a shortcuttechnique to send a message to a contact. When not performing theoperations of FIG. 2, the user can configure mobile electroniccommunication device into a communication mode (e.g., telephone, SMS,email modes) and then activate the key corresponding to a desiredcontact. For example, the user can use function keys 107 to place mobileelectronic communication device 100 into the desired mode. Thisoperation results in a shortcut operation that allows the user to make atelephone call with the contact corresponding to the activated key. Forexample, this operation may be “speed dial” the telephone number of thecontact, or open a “compose new message” window that is alreadyaddressed to the contact. Thus, in accordance with the presentinvention, the use of a particular key on keypad 105 can indicate when amessage is received from a corresponding contact; view messages from thecontact; and initiate a message operation addressed to the contact,depending on the mode of mobile electronic communication device 100.

[0041]FIG. 3 illustrates a datastore 314 for storing messageinformation, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, datastore 314 is a list structure that includes messageelements 315-1, 315-2, . . . , 315-N. Each message element includes atleast the following fields: a sender identifier (e.g., the sender'sname, a telephone number, an email address, etc.); a time stamp (i.e.,the time the message was received); the message data (e.g., messagetext, digitized voice data); and a read status (i.e., whether themessage has been read). A sender identifier is typically included in aheader of a received message. In other embodiments, datastore 314 mayhave other fields. Other data structures suitable for storing the abovemessage information can be used. In one embodiment, a similar datastoreis used to keep all messages sent to each contact. In this embodiment,outgoing and incoming messages are combined to produce a message log fora selected contact.

[0042]FIG. 4 illustrates step 210 (FIG. 2) in more detail, according toone embodiment of the present invention. As previously described, instep 210, mobile electronic communication device 100 (FIG. 1) enters themessage mode.

[0043] In a step 417, mobile electronic communication device 100(FIG. 1) can receive a request or command from the user to enter themessage mode. In one embodiment, the user uses mode select keys 127 tocause processor unit 104 (FIG. 1) to configure mobile electroniccommunication device 100 into the message mode. In other embodiments,mobile electronic communication device 100 automatically enters themessage mode after a message is received, thereby skipping step 417. Instill other embodiments, mobile electronic communication device 100 caninclude a voice activation system, which allows the user to use a voicecommand to configure mobile electronic communication device 100 in themessage mode.

[0044] In a step 418, the contact list can be displayed. In oneembodiment, processor unit 104 (FIG. 1) causes the contact list to bedisplayed via display 103 (FIG. 1). In this embodiment, each contact inthe contact list includes an identifier (e.g., the name) of the contactand connection data. The connection data can be, for example, atelephone number, an e-mail address, etc. In other embodiments, eachcontact may have more than one set of connection data. Step 418 may beskipped in some embodiments.

[0045] In a step 420, mobile electronic communication device 100determines which, if any, of the stored messages (see step 209) weresent by contacts listed in the contact list. In one embodiment,processor unit 104 accesses message datastore 314 (FIG. 3) to comparethe sender identifiers (see FIG. 3) of the stored messages toinformation stored in the contact list. Depending on the nature of themessage, the comparison may be performed in a variety of ways. In oneembodiment, if the stored message is a SMS message, the sender's SMSaddress is compared to the SMS addresses stored in the contact list.Similarly, if the stored message is a voicemail (or and email), thesender's telephone number (or email address) is compared to thetelephone numbers (or email addresses) stored in the contact list.

[0046] If in step 420 mobile electronic communication device 100(FIG. 1) determines that none of the stored messages is from a contact,the operational flow proceeds to a step 421. In step 421, in oneembodiment, the message received in step 209 (FIG. 2) is handled withoutperforming light functions. In one embodiment, mobile electroniccommunication device 100 is configured to allow the user to accessstored messages. For example, processor unit 104 can be programmed todisplay prompts or menus via display 103 (FIG. 1), which the user cannavigate using keypad 105 (FIG. 1) to view the message received in step8 (FIG. 1).

[0047] However, if in step 420 mobile electronic communication device100 determines that at least one of the stored messages is from acontact listed in the contact list, step 210 terminates, therebyallowing the operational flow to proceed to step 211 (FIG. 2).

[0048]FIG. 5 illustrates steps 211 and 212 (FIG. 2) in more detail,according to one embodiment of the present invention. As previouslydescribed, in step 211, mobile electronic communication device 100(FIG. 1) performs light functions to provide an indication of the statusof messages received from contacts on the contact list.

[0049] In a step 524, the age category of the most recent unread messagefrom each contact in the contact list is determined. In one embodiment,processor unit 104 (FIG. 1) processes entries 315-1 through 315-N ofmessage datastore 314 (FIG. 3) to determine, for each contact, the agecategory of that contact's most recent unread message. For example,processor unit 104 can compare the time stamp of each unread message tothe current time. In one embodiment, mobile electronic communicationdevice 100 (FIG. 1) can receive the current time from a service provideror other source, via transceiver 102 (FIG. 1). In another embodiment,mobile electronic communication device 100 includes an internal clockfrom which processor unit 104 can retrieve the current time.

[0050] In a step 526, keys corresponding to the contacts having unreadmessages are illuminated with light that is modulated according to theage categories determined in step 524. In one embodiment, processor unit104 (FIG. 1) is programmed to cause light unit 126 (FIG. 1) toilluminate the keys with the properly modulated light. For example, inone embodiment, if the most recent unread message from the contactcorresponding to a particular key were categorized as an “old” message,processor unit 104 would cause light unit 126 to illuminate thatparticular key with red light (or yellow light if it were an“intermediate” message, or green light if it were a “new” message). Onthe other hand, if there were no unread messages from a contactcorresponding to a particular key, processor unit 104 would cause lightunit 126 to leave that particular key unilluminated. In one embodiment,the illumination of step 526 continues until changed. For example, inthis embodiment, if a light is set to blink it will keep blinking. Inone embodiment, entering step 212 (FIG. 2) can stop the light functions.

[0051] In a step 528, mobile electronic communication device 100(FIG. 1) determines whether a refresh period is expired. In oneembodiment, for example, the refresh period can be on the order of“seconds” (e.g., one or two seconds), which would allow for accuratetransition from a “new” age category of less that three minutes old tothe intermediate age category of between three and fifteen minutes old.If the refresh period is expired, the operational flow returns to step524. However, if the refresh period is not over, the operational flowproceeds to step 212 (see FIG. 2).

[0052] As previously described, in step 212 (FIG. 2), mobile electroniccommunication device 100 (FIG. 1) receives user input. In oneembodiment, this operation can be performed using a step 530. In step530, mobile electronic communication device 100 determines whether acontact has been selected. In one embodiment, the user selects one ofthe contacts by activating one of the keys corresponding to a contact inthe contact list. For example, processor unit 104 (FIG. 1) canprogrammed to monitor keypad 105 (FIG. 1) for an actuation of a key. Thecontact corresponding to the actuated key is the selected contact. Step212 (FIG. 2) then ends, allowing the operational flow to proceed to step213 (FIG. 2).

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, step 211 (FIG. 2) may includeanother decision block in which mobile electronic communication device100 (FIG. 1) determines whether a timeout period has expired before acontact is selected in step 530. If the timeout has expired, theoperational flow can proceed to step 421 (FIG. 4). Alternatively, theentire operational flow of FIG. 2 can be terminated.

[0054]FIG. 6 illustrates step 214 (FIG. 2) in more detail, according toone embodiment of the present invention. As previously described, instep 214, mobile electronic communication device 100 (FIG. 1) accesses amessage displayed in step 213 (FIG. 2).

[0055] In a step 634, a request for a message handling operation isreceived. In one embodiment, the user selects a message from in themessage log displayed in step 213 (FIG. 2) via keypad 105 (FIG. 1). Theuser can then select an operation to perform on the selected messagesuch as, for example, read, delete, reply, save or other messagehandling operations. For example, processor unit 104 (FIG. 1) can beprogrammed to provide various message handling operations in a menudisplayed via display 103 (FIG. 1). In embodiments in which SMS messagesare displayed in the message log (see step 213), no further action isneeded to read an SMS message; however, the user may request otheroperations (e.g., deleting, saving, replying) in step 634 to beperformed on a selected SMS message.

[0056] In a step 636, the requested operation is performed on theselected message. In one embodiment, processor unit 104 (FIG. 1) isprogrammed to control various elements of mobile electroniccommunication device 100 (FIG. 1). For example, if the user selects aread operation command to be performed on an email message, processorunit 104 can access the message data from message datastore 314 (FIG. 3)and provide the message data to display 103 (FIG. 1) to be displayed tothe user. As another example, if the user selects a delete operation tobe performed on a selected SMS message, processor unit 104 can accessmessage datastore 314 and delete the entry.

[0057] In a step 638, the read status of the selected message is set toread. In one embodiment, processor unit 104 updates message datastore314 so that the read status field corresponding to the selected messageindicates that the message has been read. If the user deleted theselected message in step 636, then step 638 is skipped.

[0058]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary front view (not to scale) of a mobileelectronic communication device according to the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the mobile electronic device is a cellular telephone742 that includes a LCD 743, keys 744, LEDs 745 (shown in phantom), anantenna 746, and buttons 747. LCD 743, keys 744, LEDs 745 and buttons747 are used to implement display 103, keypad 105, light unit 126, andmode select keys 127 as shown in FIG. 1. In particular, each key of keys744 has at least one LED of LEDs 745 mounted in cellular telephone 742below that key. In one embodiment, keys 744 are translucent or partiallytranslucent so that light emitted by LEDs 745 can be transmitted throughkeys 744. In some embodiments, the light can be visible from theperimeter of the keys of keys 744, which can be advantageous when keys744 are not translucent.

[0059] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the “1” key of keys744 is illuminated with green light to indicate that a “new” message hasbeen received from the contact associated with the “1” key. Continuingthe example, the “4” and “5” keys of keys 744 are illuminated withyellow light to indicate that an “intermediate” message has beenreceived from contacts associated with the “4” and “5” keys. The “2” keyof keys 744 is illuminated with red light to indicate that an “old”message has been received from the contact associated with the “2” key.As shown in FIG. 7, more than one key of keys 744 may be simultaneouslyilluminated to indicate the source and status of messages received frommultiple contacts.

[0060] In one embodiment, each key of keys 744 is illuminated by amulticolor LED of LEDs 745. In this embodiment, the multicolor LED iscapable of outputting more than one color of light. For example, themulticolor LED can output red, yellow or green light, in response tosignals received from processor unit 104 (FIG. 1). In an alternativeembodiment, each key of keys 744 is illuminated by a set of two or moreLEDs of LEDs 745. Each LED of the set is selected to output a differentcolor. For example, each set may include three LEDs, a first LED capableof outputting red light, a second LED capable of outputting yellowlight, and a third LED capable of outputting green light.

[0061] Although the use of three colors is described above in otherembodiments, LEDs 745 can output a different number of colors, dependingon the number of age categories. For example, the light from red, blueand green LEDs may be combined to produce a large range of differentcolors by appropriately controlling the intensity of the light outputtedby each LED.

[0062]FIG. 8 also shows an exemplary front view (not to scale) of amobile electronic communication device according to the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the mobile electronic communicationdevice includes a touch-screen LCD 852 that can be used to display avirtual keypad 853. Such touch-screen devices are commerciallyavailable. In this embodiment, light functions (see the abovedescription of step 211 of FIG. 2) can be performed by changing thecolor or shade of one or more virtual keys 855 of virtual keypad 853being displayed by touch-screen LCD 852. In addition, the lightfunctions may “animate” a virtual key 855 to indicate one or moreparameters of a received message (e.g. to morph into a telephoneillustration, blink, rotate, appear to vibrate, etc.). A user can thenselect a contact by pressing a virtual key 855 displayed by touch-screenLCD 852.

[0063] The above description of illustrated embodiments of theinvention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

[0064] These modifications can be made to the invention in light of theabove detailed description. The terms used in the following claimsshould not be construed to limit the invention to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, thescope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the followingclaims, which are to be construed in accordance with establisheddoctrines of claim interpretation.

1-59. (Cancelled) 60 A mobile electronic communication devicecomprising: a transceiver; a light unit having a plurality of lightsources; and a processor unit coupled to the transceiver and light unit,wherein the processor unit is configured to cause the light unit tooutput light from a selected one of the light sources to indicate asource of a received message.
 61. The mobile electronic communicationdevice of claim 60, wherein the mobile electronic communication deviceis configured to receive messages of two or more types, wherein theprocessor unit is configured to cause the light unit to output the lightwith modulation that depends on the received message's type.
 62. Themobile electronic communication device of claim 60, wherein the selectedone of the light sources being lit is associated with a contact, and themessage is received from the associated contact.
 63. The mobileelectronic communication device of claim 62, wherein the light unit cansimultaneously illuminate another light source to indicate that amessage has been received from a contact associated with the other lightsource.
 64. The mobile electronic communication device of claim 60,wherein the processor unit is configured to cause the light unit tooutput light with modulation that depends on an age of a messagereceived by the mobile electronic communication device.
 65. The mobileelectronic communication device of claim 64, wherein the modulated lighthas a color that depends on the relative age of a received message. 66.The mobile electronic communication device of claim 64, wherein themodulated light has a blinking rate that indicates a number of unreadmessages received from a contact.
 67. The mobile electroniccommunication device in claim 64, wherein the message is a most recentmessage received from a contact.
 68. The mobile electronic communicationdevice of claim 67, wherein the message is an unread message receivedfrom the contact.
 69. The mobile electronic communication device ofclaim 64, wherein the relative age is indicated using a plurality ofpredetermined age categories.
 70. The mobile electronic communicationdevice of claim 69, wherein each age category of the plurality of agecategories is represented by a predetermined color of light that can beoutputted by the light unit.
 71. The mobile electronic communicationdevice of claim 70, wherein each age category of the plurality of agecategories is represented by a predetermined number of light flasheswithin a cycle.
 72. The mobile electronic communication device of claim61, wherein the message is a SMS message.
 73. The mobile electroniccommunication device of claim 60, wherein the mobile electroniccommunication device further comprises a touch-screen display inaddition to or in lieu of the light unit, and the processor emulatessaid causing of the light unit to light a selected one of a plurality oflight sources to indicate receipt of a message from a source byrendering a virtual light unit having a plurality of virtual lightsources on the touch-screen display, with a selected one of the virtuallight sources manifesting an appearance of being illuminated.
 74. Themobile electronic communication device of claim 60, wherein the lightunit comprises an LED circuit having a plurality of LEDs configured toselectively output light having a color selected from a set of aplurality of preselected colors.
 75. A mobile electronic communicationdevice comprising: a transceiver; and means coupled to the transceiverto output light to indicate a source of a received message.
 76. Themobile electronic communication device of claim 75, wherein the mobileelectronic communication device is configured to receive messages of twoor more types, wherein said means is configured to output light withmodulation that depends on the received message's type.
 77. The mobileelectronic communication device of claim 75, wherein said means isconfigured to output light with modulation that depends on an age of amessage received by the mobile electronic communication device.
 78. Themobile electronic communication device of claim 75, wherein the outputlight is associated with a contact, and the message is received from theassociated contact.
 79. The mobile electronic communication device ofclaim 75, wherein the mobile electronic communication device isconfigured to receive messages of two or more types, wherein said meansis configured to output light with modulation that depends on thereceived message's type and an age of the message received.